Reported from Jerusalem
1. SHARON PREPARED TO TRADE MORE ‘SETTLEMENTS’ FOR ADDITIONAL AMERICAN COMPENSATION… What began as a plan to evacuate 17 Israeli villages in the Gaza Strip is now believed to be a full pullout from all Gaza communities and at least six in the area of northern Samaria in the post-1967 territories. During negotiations with the United States, it became clear that the formula was “more concessions for more withdrawal” as the American administration sought to give credence to the appearance that the Israeli evacuation was to be significant and a positive indication that President Bush’s “two-state vision” was viable. American approval for the Sharon withdrawal plan is said to be contingent upon the inclusion of West Bank communities in addition to those in Gaza. In return for its efforts, Israel wants U.S. approval of its retention of large blocs of Israeli communities in post-1967 territory; a U.S. declaration that the peace plan obviates the so-called “Palestinian right of return”; and a U.S. promise that Israel will not be forced to negotiate while Yassir Arafat remains in power. Once mutually acceptable terms of the Gaza plan are worked out, Prime Minister Sharon is expected to be invited to visit the White House. Complicating matters is the perception that the Israeli pullout is a concession to terror – a difficult concept for the “Zero-Tolerance-for-Terror-President” to be seen embracing.
2. INTERNATIONAL FOCUS ON POST-WITHDRAWAL GAZA: ‘THE MORNING AFTER’… The primary concern of the international community regarding Israel’s imminent unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip continues to be ‘the morning after’ scenario: the security vacuum created by the departure of Israeli forces. This has been the main focus of talks between Israeli and American leaders with their counterparts in Jordan, Egypt and elsewhere. On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan offered U.N. assistance in talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom. Annan offered help in line with U.N. efforts following Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. During the talks, Shalom asked that Annan convene a special U.N. session to condemn terrorism. Referring to a proposed Security Council resolution that condemns Israel’s killing of Hamas terror chief Ahmad Yasin while not mentioning the acts of Yasin’s – or any — terror organization, Shalom complained to Annan saying that, “It is amazing that Israel should be made to sit in the dock instead of the heads of terror that incite and prevent every shred of hope for peace.”
3. HAMAS BACKS-OFF THREATS TO U.S.… A leading official of the Hamas terrorist organization retreated from threats aimed at the United States. Khalid Mash’al, who directs what the organization calls its “political bureau” from Damascus, told a London-based newspaper that “there has been no change in Hamas policy … the campaign against the enemy is limited to the territory of Palestine, and that policy remains in effect. Inside Palestine, all possibilities are open.” Taking a chapter from the American campaign against the regime of Saddam Hussein, a deck of cards with photos of Israeli leaders, indicating that they are targets for assassination, is being circulated by Hamas. Recently, the Israeli army also issued cards, its version showing Palestinians wanted by Israel’s security forces.
4. SHARON CONFUSION: SUPPORTS BILL AIMED AT TYING HIS HANDS ON WITHDRAWAL… Ariel Sharon’s ruling coalition appeared to be in disarray on Wednesday when the second largest faction split from the majority to oppose a bill that would require Knesset (Parliament) approval of 61 (out of 120) members in order to authorize any withdrawal. Adding to the spectacle was the prime minister’s support for the bill which was intended to tie his hands and according to the intention of the bill’s sponsors, quash the proposed pullout from Gaza. Nevertheless, Sharon’s apparent calculation that he could throw an olive branch to critics in his own party without suffering the intended consequences of the bill proved correct by virtue of opposition from the Shinui Party, the coalition’s second-largest member, and the refusal of several cabinet ministers from Sharon’s party to show up for the vote. They include former prime minister and present Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Health Minister Danny Naveh, Internal Security Minister Tzahi Hanegbi and Immigration Minister Tzipi Livni – all of whom are considered either Sharon or Netanyahu loyalists.
5. 14-YEAR-OLD PALESTINIAN BOY PAID $20 TO BLOW HIMSELF UP… A 14-year old Palestinian boy wearing a suicide bomb belt was caught as he ran towards Israeli troops at a roadblock near Nablus on Wednesday. Soldiers, on alert for suicide bombers after receiving intelligence reports, spotted Husam Muhammad ‘Abdu pushing through a line of Palestinians waiting to cross through the checkpoint. After noticing a bulge under his clothes, they pointed weapons at him and order him to stand behind a concrete barrier and remove his shirt. The bomb then became visible. Soldiers sent a pair of scissors to the boy via robot and instructed him to cut the belt and remove it, which he did. The bomb was later destroyed in a controlled explosion. During interrogation, the boy said he had been paid 100 shekels (about $23) for the mission. One week ago, a bomb was intercepted after it was spotted in the knapsack of a 10-year old who was trying to bring it through at a crossing point. Police said he did not know what he was carrying, and believe he did it for the $5 he received.